(Clariant/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Clariant, Haltermann and Mercedes-Benz have tested a fuel of the future in a fleet test since January. Initial results prove the high quality and excellent properties of sunliquid 20 fuel (contains 20 percent ethanol coming from straw). With
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In Germany, Vecoplan opened a new 17,000 square-foot Technology Center in Bad Marienberg, Germany. The first-of-its-kind facility is equipped with more than 25 machines representing a comprehensive range of mechanical technologies for the processing, recycling or
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The cellulosic scene in the EU is lively and well — greatly cheered by news of commercial-scale openings by POET-DSM, and Beta Renewables and the impending openings at Abengoa Bioenergy and DuPont. This week, the 4th
(Lufthansa) Memorandum of Understanding signed with JatroSolutions GmbH on the cultivation of jatropha The Lufthansa Group has marked another milestone in its pioneering work in the testing of alternative fuels. Today, Lufthansa flight LH 190 from Frankfurt to Berlin Tegel is
by Pamela Rockwell* (Advanced Biofuels USA) It was fitting that the VIII annual ISO DATAGRO New York Sugar and Ethanol Conference took place in the Empire Room of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The event is sponsored jointly by
(Algae Industry Magazine) EnAlgae, a research partnership drawing on expertise across seven EU Member States, has announced the publication of six reports on their website looking at the state of the algae industry across countries in North West Europe. Produced by FNR
by Marc Gunther (The Guardian) California startup NexSteppe presents a new brand of sorghum, bred for optimal energy production, designed as a greener alternative to corn for ethanol fuels and biomass boilers As scientists around the world research biomass feedstocks —
(BlackSeaGrain/Bloomberg) Palm oil production in Colombia will climb to a record this year as trees planted three years ago start to bear fruit, Oil World said. Colombian output of palm oil, used for cooking and to make biofuel, will climb to
(Biotechnology Industry Organization) An international confederation of biotechnology trade associations announced today the ratification of bylaws creating the International Council of Biotechnology Associations (ICBA), with the expressed purpose of advocating for public policies that support the growth of the innovative
by Steven Mufson (The Washington Post) About 16 months ago, a Florida-based biofuel company called Algenol noticed that its Internet service was slowing down. In checking that out, Jack Voth, Algenol’s information technology chief, stumbled on something odd: a telnet
by Aino Siirala* (Advanced Biofuels USA)The 22nd European Biomass Conference & Exhibition took place in Hamburg, Germany in June 2014. The conference gathered 1085 attendees from 66 different countries: researchers, policy makers, industry and business people to communicate and learn
(SkyNRG) SkyNRG Nordic, the recently established cooperation between SkyNRG and Statoil Aviation, announces Karlstad as its first BioPort in Sweden. Starting today (June 26, 2014), with the launch of BioPort Karlstad, SkyNRG Nordic will make the first volumes of sustainable jet
(Biodiesel Magazine) The Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) reports that the sale of biodiesel declined drastically by 90 million gallons in 2013, according to information from the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA). During 2009-’12,
(TÜV Rheinland/Eco-Business.com) On 5 June 2014, Hong Kong, TÜV Rheinland Greater China issued its first International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) certificate to one of the largest bio-diesel suppliers and producers in Asia, ASB Bio-Diesel Hong Kong Ltd. The audit was
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) A new report published by Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) provides a global overview of advances in renewable energy development, including development related to bioenergy, ethanol and other types of biofuels. The
AMI's Green Polymer Chemistry 2015 is the 4th edition of the international conference on sustainable synthesis of plastics and elastomers including materials currently available in the marketplace. The event will take place from 18-19 March 2014 at the Maritim Hotel, Cologne, Germany. The conference consists of a
by Michael Carus, Lara Dammer, Andreas Hermann and Roland Essel (nova-Institute) nova-paper #4 “Proposals for a Reform of the Renewable Energy Directive to a Renewable Energy and Materials Directive (REMD)” presents a reform proposal that aims at creating a level
(Biofuels International) The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and the Canadian National Research Council (NRC) are researching the use of biofuels in their flights by undertaking a joint testing project under the
(Gevo/Biomass Magazine) Gevo Inc., the world's only commercial producer of renewable isobutanol, has announced that it has come to an agreement with Lufthansa to evaluate Gevo's renewable jet fuel with the goal of approving Gevo's alcohol-to-jet fuel (ATJ) for commercial
by Bruce Dorminey (Renewable Fuel World) US farmers are exploring the use of energy beets to produce ethanol. Requiring less water and containing more sugar than corn, they could be just what the market needs. Corn remains the undisputed ethanol king.
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) EurObserv’ER has released the 2013 edition of its annual renewable energy report, which determined that final energy consumption from renewable resources increased significantly in 2012. The report, titled “The State of Renewable Energies in Europe,” includes
(National Aeronautics and Space Administration/PRNewsWire) NASA has signed separate agreements with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to conduct a series of joint flight tests to study the atmospheric effects of emissions from jet engines burning alternative
(Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft) No more oil – renewable raw materials are the future. This motto not only applies to biodiesel, but also to isobutene, a basic product used in the chemical industry. In a pilot plant researchers now want to obtain this
by Robert Vierhout (ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) For European ethanol producers, E15 is still a distant dream. In the EU, the struggle is to get from E5 to E10. The legislation to offer E10 has been in place since 2009 but its
(Deutche Welle) Back in 2009, at the G20 summit in Pittsburgh, leading heads of state decided that subsidies for oil, gas and coal would slowly have to be cut worldwide. The closing statement of the meeting reads: "The inefficient subsidization of
(Wageningen University/Biomass Magazine) Chemical building blocks from lignocellulosic feedstock form a huge potential for the production of bioplastics. More specifically, they have potential for biodegradable plastic polylactic acid (PLA). The building block for PLA - lactic acid - is currently
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Germany, UFOP determined that rapeseed oil is the most important raw material of the biodiesel component in diesel fuel, comprising 89% of the content based on investigation of the raw material composition of diesel
(University of Greenwich) Bright pink-orange microalgae found in salt lakes and coastal waters could become a renewable source of food, plastics, health products and fuel as a result of new research announced this week. The University of Greenwich is leading a
(Global Bioenergies) Global Bioenergies announces the signature of a collaboration with the German car-manufacturer Audi on the development of isobutene-derived isooctane, a high performance biofuel for gasoline engines. Global Bioenergies, a NYSE Alternext Paris listed company (ALGBE), is a pioneer in the development
(Biofuels International) A partnership between Clariant, Haltermann and car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz is to road test biofuels in Germany. Haltermann takes cellulosic ethanol produced from wheat straw by Clariant and mixes it with conventional fuel components to form a new fuel
(LANXESS/NewsWire Today) Specialty chemicals company LANXESS has added Baynox Extra, a highly concentrated liquid stabilizer for biodiesel, to its range. The easy-to-meter additive effectively prolongs the shelf life of biodiesel, even when it contains polyunsaturated fatty acids. This combination of
(25 x '25) The annual Global Forum for Food and Agriculture is currently underway in Berlin and those attending are grappling with a formidable challenge: finding ways to insure food security around the world as population surges by nearly 30
(PR NewsWire/Research and Markets) Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "2013 Report on the International and Chinese Biodiesel Industry" report to their offering. "2013 Report on the International and Chinese Biodiesel Industry", provides an overview of the industry including definitions, classifications,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Beta Renewables, Abengoa, Enerkem, Proterro among the winners for Project of the Year — as residues and waste are keys to the big wins. For Fuel of the Year, Renewable Chemical of the Year, Product
(University of Bern, Switzerland) If grassland used intensively, biodiversity decreases. Particularly affected are rare species, a new study headed by Berner plant scientists shows. Such negative effects could be reduced if farmers would vary the intensity of their management in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The technology is there. Demand for alternative fuels, chemicals and materials is there. Feedstock is expensive. In so many of the signature developments announced around the world this year, there’s been an EU technology in
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Brazil ethanol industry saw record supplies for the 2013/2014 crush season just being wrapped up, and got a welcome boost from auto executives who said ethanol-powered cars are more viable for reducing
(Alpha Galileo/Centre for Genomic Regulation) The study, published in Nature today, describes the sugar beet reference genome sequence generated by researchers both from the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics and the University of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In Pennsylvania and Germany, BASF and Renmatix signed a non-exclusive joint development agreement to scale up the Renmatix Plantrose process for the production of industrial sugars based on lignocellulosic biomass. The parties have agreed to
by Inês A. C. Pereira (Science Magazine) Electricity is increasingly produced from renewable sources, but it remains difficult to store electric power at a large scale. Hydrogen is a strong candidate for energy storage, but there is still no safe, economically
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) The German biodiesel quality association, AGQM, and a leading manufacturer of parking heater systems completed a long-term oxidation stability study of biodiesel from rapeseed oil using different additives and storage conditions. “The results serve as basis
(Lanza Tech) Evonik Industries and LanzaTech have signed a three year research cooperation agreement which will see Evonik combining its existing biotechnology platforms with LanzaTech’s synthetic biology and gas fermentation expertise for the development of a route to bioprocessedn precursors
(Global Bioenergies) Global Bioenergies announces its decision to construct its second industrial pilot on the site of the Leuna refinery, close to Leipzig in Germany. This new pilot plant, to be supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) through a EUR
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In Massachusetts, applied mathematicians Markos Katsoulakis and Luc Rey-Bellet of the University of Massachusetts Amherst will share a three-year, $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, with others, to develop new methods to improve mathematical
(PRWEB/CTi) Cavitation Technologies, Inc. ("CTi") (OTCBB: CVAT) (Berlin: Stuttgart: WTC) announced today that the Company’s U.S. Patent Application, entitled ‘Process for Producing Biodiesel through Lower Molecular Weight Alcohol-Targeted Cavitation’, has been approved for patent issuance. This approval adds another significant accomplishment
(Ennovor/PR NewsWire) Customers seeking premium quality, reliable and sustainable biofuels will have greater choice. This follows a $12m investment in expanding the supply chain, production and feedstock capabilities of sustainable energy sector leader Ennovor Group. The enhancements are being financed by a $12 million
by Felix Creutzig, Esteve Corbera, Simon Bolwig and Carol Hunsberger (IOP Science) Integrated assessment models suggest that the large-scale deployment of bioenergy could contribute to ambitious climate change mitigation efforts. However, such a shift would intensify the global competition for
(Fraunhofer) Crude oil is getting scarce. This is why researchers are seeking to substitute petroleum-based products – like plastics – with sustainable raw materials. Waste wood, divided into lignin and cellulose, could serve as a raw material. A pilot plant
Tilo Arnhold (Helmholtz Centre For Environmental Research/Renewable Energy World) Straw from agriculture could play an important role in the future energy mix for Germany. Up until now it has been underutilised as a biomass residue and waste material. These were
(Evonik Industries AG/Biodiesel Magazine) On Oct. 21, Essen, Germany-based Evonik Industries started up a new plant for manufacturing biodiesel production catalysts in Argentina. Patrik Wohlhauser, the member of the Evonik executive board responsible for the South America region, spoke at the
by Ben Geman (The Hill E2Wire) A new report finds that the most cost-effective climate change policies are the ones with the least political traction in the United States. Imposing an explicit cost on carbon pollution is the best way to
(UFOP) In general, pure biodiesel is not applicable in modern diesel engines with particulate filters, as the particulate filter regeneration process would lead to a dilution of engine lubricant by the biofuel. Also a larger share of biogenic components in
(Biofuels International) Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), in cooperation with Chemieanlangenbau Chemnitz, has produced renewable fuel at its Bioliq (biomass to liquid karlsruhe) pilot plant. With the synthesis stage of the plant now operational, all stages of the Bioliq process (flash
by Rhett Butler (Mongabay.com) Palm oil imports into Europe for use as car fuel increased by more than three-fold since 2006, raising concerns than renewable fuels targets may be contributing to deforestation, displacing marginalized communities, and driving greenhouse gas emissions in
(UFOP/Biodiesel Magazine) The Deutz Agripower engines of the series TCD 7.8 L6, TCD 6.1 L6 and TCD 4.1 L4 can be approved for operation with biodiesel as a pure fuel. This is the result of the project successfully completed by
The European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EU BC&E) ranks as one of the top world leading events in the Biomass sector, combining a highly respected international Conference with an Industrial Exhibition. It highlights progress in research, technological development and production processes. It brings together
(Clariant) Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, has received the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) for its sunliquid® demonstration plant in Straubing (Germany), which was opened in July 2012. The certificate confirms that the cellulosic ethanol from agricultural
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) With 53 percent raw material content, rapeseed oil remains the most important raw material source for the production of biodiesel in Germany, followed by palm oil with 25 percent, and coconut and soy oil at
by K. McDonald (Big Picture Agriculture) As you can see in the above graph, the leading nations in biofuel production in 2012 were the U.S. followed by Brazil, Germany, Argentina, France and China. All other individual nations were below the level
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... It’s been quite a year on the four-carbon platform — also known as C4, 4C, buta-something, Fantastic Four, or what have you. Though two-carbon fuels such as ethanol have long dominated the biofuels market — and
(University of Queensland) Newly trialled native algae species provide real hope for the development of commercially viable fuels from algae, a University of Queensland scientist has found. Dr Evan Stephens and the team at UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, in collaboration
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) According to a paper published by the nova-Institute on agricultural feedstock use in industrial applications, efficiency and sustainability assessed on a case-by-case basis should be the sole criteria in judging the choice of feedstock used. The paper reviewed
by Tildy Bayar (Renewable Energy World) In advance of a vote on a European directive that will shape the Union’s future policy for biofuel use in the transport sector, an annual report published today by renewable energy analysis group EurObserv’ER
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Here are the biggest pacts and advances, tests, investments and grants with the likes of Amyris, Total, Airbus, Solena Fuels, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, AltAir Fuels, the US Navy, Emerald Biofuels, Natures BioReserve and Fulcrum Biofuels, Virent, the US Air Force, Chinese Eastern
(Algae Industry Magazine) The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. (EADS) has announced plans to build an algae technical center, to produce biokerosene from algae. One of three projects sharing a €11m ($14.6 million USD) grant from the Bavarian
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The Summer of Algae has passed, but dozens of companies have remained hot in pursuit of a solution for fuels, feed, nutraceuticals, fragrances, flavorings and tailored renewable oils. Their technologies? Closed systems, open-systems, hybrid systems. Hosts
by Ron Kortrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Saudi Arabia-based National Prawn Co. and the German chemical giant BASF have signed an agreement to work together in developing algae technology. NPC is experienced in designing, building and operating large manmade lakes for its
(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V./Biodiesel Magazine) With 53 percent raw material content, rapeseed oil remains the most important raw material source for the production of biodiesel in Germany, followed by palm oil with 25 percent, and coconut
by David Glass (D Glass Associates) One of the morning sessions at the Tenth Annual BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology put four of the companies in the forefront of commercial development of cellulosic ethanol on the same panel. Although
The German BioEnergy Association (BBE) and the Union for the Promotion of Oilseeds and Protein Plants (UFOP) cordially invite paper proposals for the 11th International Conference on Biofuels "Fuels of the Future 2014", which will be held during 21 -
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Not quite a year after opening a demonstration facility, Switzerland-based specialty chemicals company Clariant AG announced that it has expanded the feedstocks successfully converted to cellulosic ethanol beyond wheat straw to include corn stover
by Seán Ottewell (Chemical Processing) Biotechnology efforts in the United States and Europe are on the rise. For instance, Algenol Biofuels, Ft. Myers, Fl., developer of direct-to-ethanol technology for the production of advanced third-generation biofuels, has surpassed one of its own important
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Biofuel Weiss Inc. is developing a 7 MMgy continuous flow multifeedstock biodiesel production facility in Atlantic Canada, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. According to Ian Weiss, CEO of Weiss Biofuel, the process technology “is a modern
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) World’s #1 chemical company to produce renewable Butanediol using Genomatica’s process. The Digest has a one-on-one with Genomatica CEO Christophe Schilling to explore the deal in-depth. In Germany, BASF announced that it plans to begin production
(EurActiv) Leaders of the EU and their partners in the G8 nations are under mounting pressure to reconsider their support for biofuel targets amid concern that plant oil production competes with food output in poor countries. Britain, which chairs the G8 this
(Hamburg Business Development Corp./Biodiesel Magazine) The first house in the world to supply its own energy with unique “bioskin” through the cultivation of micro-algae is being presented at the International Building Exhibition IBA Hamburg in Germany. As a part of the
(Bio Base NWE) The project Bio Base NWE is funded under the Interreg IVB NWE framework and has the objective to support the development of the bio-based economy in North West Europe (see www.biobasenwe.org for additional info). Within Bio Base
(UFOP/Biodiesel Magazine) On May 19, more than 200 race cars will start at the traditional ADAC 24-hour race on the Nürburgring's legendary Nordschleife track. With more than 200,000 visitors, it is the largest motor sporting event of the year. Also
by Andrew Noel (Bloomberg) Clariant AG (CLN) said it’s prepared to take on a partner and help fund a second-generation bioethanol plant to prove the effectiveness of its biotechnology and compete against Royal DSM NV (DSM) and Novozymes A/S. (NZYMB) Clariant,
(Asociación de Productores de Energías Renovables Biocarburantes - Spain; Associação Portuguesa de Produtores de Biocombustíveis - Portugal; Krajowa Izba Biopaliw - Poland; Renewable Energy Association – United Kingdom; Verband der Deutschen Biokraftstoffindustrie - Germany) We support the current target of 10 per cent of
(INOCAS) The production of plant oils based on oil-bearing trees such as Jatropha could provide an alternative pathway to a more sustainable plant oil production in the future. Planting oil-bearing trees can mitigate the effects of deforestation and allow for a
(Algae Industry Magazine) Premier of Queensland, Australia, Campbell Newman, has cut the ribbon on an advanced solar biofuels pilot plant designed to develop microalgae-based systems as a source of clean fuel and animal feeds. The $3.5 million project had the potential,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Despite the sluggish economic recovery and questions over policy stability — biofuels ventures have been busy raising lots of capital. In the past 6 months, $434 million. Who got what, where, when and why? ...supplemental oxygen,
by Peter Brown (Biodiesel Magazine/ Euro Marketing Tools) Biodiesel, ethanol and livestock production, wind turbines and photovoltaic installments situated in close proximity make energy—and economic—sense The concept is that if alternate forms of energy can be produced that are nonpolluting, renewable, provide
(UFOP/Biodiesel Magazine) The German Research Center for Biomass (DBFZ) was commissioned by the German oilseed promotional council (UFOP) to explain the proposals by the European Commission regarding the amendment of the Renewable Energies Directive and the Fuel Quality Directive in
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Bundesverband der deutschen Bioethanolwirtschaft (BDBe), a German ethanol trade organization, has released production statistics for 2012. According to the organization, German ethanol production increased by 7.4 percent last year, which BDBe said is
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) In early March, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany announced the successful commissioning of the second stage of its bioliq pilot plant. The achievement was made in cooperation with technology partner Air Liquide Global
(Direvo) Direvo Industrial Biotechnology GmbH (Direvo) today announced that it reached an important milestone in developing a consolidated bioprocess for lactic acid production from lignocellulose. Up until now, there has not been any known consolidated bioprocess for producing lactic acid from
by Stuart Radnedge (GasWorld) Air Liquide, in a joint project with the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT) in Germany, has successfully completed the second stage of a second generation biofuels pilot unit at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. This pilot unit will demonstrate the viability
(Digital Journal) Korsair Holdings AG (BERLIN: NOM) has signed a sales and marketing license agreement for a Russian waste to energy technology. The agreement guarantees to Korsair exclusivity for the territory of the Balkan States. The license agreement covers all
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algae pioneer now at 50% above original productivity target — aims to complete demo in 2013, head for commercial-scale in 2014. In Florida, Algenol confirmed that the company had exceeded production rates 9,000 gallons of ethanol
by Peter Hannam (Sidney Morning Herald) Lufthansa probably thought it was on a public relations winner when it began operating flights using a mix of biofuel and regular jet fuel between Frankfurt and Hamburg in 2011. However, the ''green skies'' branding potential
Biorenewable chemicals are chemicals derived from bio-based feedstocks, which are renewable since they can be seasonally cultivated and exploited, as corn, sugar cane, wheat and cellulose. In most cases, prior to conversion to chemicals, the original biomass raw material will
by Aino Siirala (Advanced Biofuels USA) In his presentation at DOE’s Biomass 2012, Joachin Buse (Vice President Aviation Biofuels, Lufthansa German Airlines) claimed that aviation biofuels have the strongest impact on mitigation of climate change. He illustrated that it is technically
(Algae Industry Magazine) Douglas Main reports on OurAmazingPlanet that researchers at Germany’s University of Bielefeld have discovered that when the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtiiis deprived of carbon dioxide, it can cannibalize other plants’ materials. According to the scientists,this is the first time
by Bob Brooks (Automotive Industries) It was announced in September 2012 that Audi and Joule Unlimited had formed a joint effort to commercialize Joule’s unique synthetic diesel & ethanol fuel technology based on microorganisms (www.jouleunlimited.com). Initial production at scale is
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Germany-based enzyme developer Direvo Industrial Biotechnology GmbH has announced the successful scale-up of its BluZy-D and BluZy-P enzymes. Lab-scale and pilot-scale trials to test the effects of the technology on ethanol production were completed
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Advanced Ethanol Council this morning released a report giving a snapshot of cellulosic ethanol producers in the U.S. and around the world. A look at facilities owned by companies such as Abengoa Bioenergy, Enerkem, INEOS Bio
(Direvo) Direvo Industrial Biotechnology GmbH is commercializing its BluCon™– platform for complete, one-step conversion of non-food feedstocks to carbohydrates used in the production of fuels and chemicals. In the recent years Direvo has undertaken a huge research program identifying a
(GreenAirOnline) Two jet biofuel companies, JATRO and BioJet, have announced a collaboration agreement on feedstock development and commercialisation efforts. The strategic alliance is intended to create a mutually beneficial business operation across global markets to drive the commercialisation of sustainable
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The German Federal Environmental Ministry has released an environmental technology atlas produced by Roland Gerger Strategy Consultants. The report, titled “GreenTech made in Germany 3.0,” is the third such atlas produced by the consulting
(Fraunhofer Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes) Crude oil is getting scarce. This is why researchers are seeking to substitute petroleum-based products – like plastics – with sustainable raw materials. Waste wood, divided into lignin and cellulose, could serve as a raw
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) While petroleum-based methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) has largely been replaced with ethanol as a gasoline additive in the U.S. due to environmental concerns of groundwater contamination, Evonik recently announced it has been producing commercial volumes
(Deutsche Welle) Lufthansa has stopped testing biofuel in its aircraft because it has exhausted its stocks of biosynthetic kerosene and no other reliable supplies are available. The final test flight was a long-haul service to the US. German airline Lufthansa ended
(Reuters) ...The European Commission is under strong pressure from industry groups and some of its own departments to weaken a planned cap on the use of biofuels made from food crops such as rapeseed and wheat. Last month, the two EU
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) ...Clariant Corporation recently acquired Süd-Chemie, which has been developing its proprietary sunliquid® process since 2006, including the successful operation of a pilot plant since 2009. Clariant started operation of the largest cellulosic ethanol production facility in Germany in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Jobs, global expansion, proteins vs fuels, new R&D funding – all the big issues are under debate both on and off the floor at the Algae Biomass Summit. ...Jobs Dr. John Benemann projected on stage that,
(Reuters) * EU shift away from food-based biofuels will need big investment * EU will need millions of tonnes of non-food biofuels to meet targets * Investment incentives currently not enough Large new investment incentives will be needed to promote the development of
(BioJet) JATRO AG today (September 25, 2012) announced formation of a major Horizontal Collaboration Agreement with BioJet International Ltd. The intended horizontal collaboration between the Companies in the format of a Strategic Alliance is meant to create a joint basis for a mutually
by Maria Sheahan and Victoria Bryan (Reuters) ...Airlines, keen to cut pollution from jet fuel ahead of EU penalties from next year, and biofuel associations at the Berlin ILA air show this week said their research focused on how best
(Algae.Tec/PR NewsWire) Algae.Tec Limited is pleased to announce that Algae.Tec and Lufthansa have signed a Collaboration Agreement for the construction of a large-scale algae to aviation biofuels production facility. The site will be in Europe adjacent to an industrial CO2 source. Lufthansa will arrange
(FlightGlobal)The future looks green for US-German relations following an alternative aviation fuels development agreement signed at ILA. German transport minister Peter Ramsauer and US ambassador Philip Murphy signed the pact designed to strengthen co-operation in a bid to develop sustainability standards
(ConstructionWeekOnline.com) S Lootah International has teamed up with Germany company Arndt GmbH to offer fully automatic locally-manufactured biodiesel plants for the Middle East. The plants convert used cooking oil into biodiesel, which can be used to run many commercial vehicles. ...Arndt has
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) 2012 is proving to be another big year for biodiesel in a number of ways, but possibly one of the most exciting areas of growth has been the number of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) supporting the
by Robert Vierhout (Ethanol Producer Magazine/EPURE) ...If a magazine like the Economist is writing that the U.S.A. uses 40 percent of its corn for the production of biodiesel (yes, he said biodiesel), you wonder if the journalist really went any further
by Nils Klawitter (Der Spiegel) Creating energy from corn once seemed like a revolutionary idea in Germany. But subsidies for the biogas industry have led to entire regions of the country being covered by the crop, and investors are eagerly
by Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. (UFOP) (Biodiesel Magazine) Experts from the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. (UFOP) question the scientific quality of the recent study, “Uncertainties about the GHG Emissions Saving of Rapeseed Biodiesel,” published
by Matthew Aylott (National Non-Food Crops Centre) NNFCC gives its top ten of Britain's most progressive biofuel and biochemical companies. TMO Renewables ... Green Biologics ... British Airways ... Ensus ... BP ... Johnson Matthey ... Croda ... INEOS Bio ... Harvest Energy ... Greenergy ... READ MORE
by Robert Rapier (Biofuels Digest/Consumer Energy Report) Distillates are petroleum products that includes diesel, jet fuel, and fuel oil. Renewable distillates may be categorized as substitutes or drop-in replacements. The most common distillate substitute is biodiesel, and drop-in replacements can
(The Bioenergy Site) NFU Scotland and Scottish Quality Crops (SQC) have welcomed the announcement that the European Commission has accepted SQC into the sustainability certification scheme for biofuels. That recognition is a huge boost ahead of the Scottish oilseed rape
(The Local: German's News in English) Biofuel containing corn should be banned from German petrol pumps, a minister has demanded, as droughts and a dramatic rise in food prices mean more of the world population is going hungry. "Rising food prices mean that biofuel
(Platts) A waiver of the US ethanol mandate would not destroy corn demand because current gasoline blending economics still favor the use of the corn-based biofuel, Deutsche Bank' analysts Michael Lewis and Christina McGlone said in a research note Monday. Ethanol
(Equities.com) Smallholders at Cargill's palm oil plantation, PT Hindoli in South Sumatra, Indonesia, recently became the one of the first smallholders to receive official certification for sustainable palm oil supply for biofuels, according to the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification
by Gernot Pehnelt and Christoph Vietze (Friedrich Schiller University and the Max Planck Institute of Economics) During the last years, the renewable energy strategy of the European Union (EU) and the proposed policies and regulations, namely the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), have been heavily
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Swiss specialty chemicals company Clariant is now operating its demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Straubing, Germany. With an annual capacity of up to 1,000 tons (330,000 MMgy), the demonstration facility is scaling up the
(Leopoldina) The Leopoldina’s statement “Bioenergy – Chances and Limits” provides a comprehensive analysis of the use of bioenergy. It was compiled by a working group of more than 20 expert scientists established in 2010 and outlines under which conditions the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, Biofuels Digest is reporting that global advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals capacity will reach 5.89 billion gallons by 2017, up from 5.11 billion gallons by 2016 reported in the November 2011 release, 4.37
by Michael Gubisch (FlightGlobal/Flight International) ...Between 15 July and 27 December 2011, Lufthansa deployed a newly delivered Airbus A321 (registration D-AIDG) on the route between Hamburg and Frankfurt, with one of the two International Aero Engines V2500 powerplants running exclusively
by Franco Capaldo (ICIS.com) Clariant has inaugurated a new cellulose ethanol pilot plant in the Bavarian town of Straubing, Germany, the Swiss specialty chemicals company said on Friday. The plant – the biggest of its kind in Germany – will produce around 1,000 tonnes/year of cellulose ethanol, a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Can the harnessing of the powers of magnetism overcome cost challenges in algal biofuels? Researchers across the globe pursue the answers. ...For the fossil molecule, its time within a living system is complete and its development
(Business Lexington) Add “energy beets” to the cash crop list for Kentucky farmers. The high-sugar energy beet, a variety bred to serve the fuel/energy market, is now growing on test plots in Whitley and other Kentucky counties. Kentucky-based Patriot Bio-Energy
The German BioEnergy Association (BBE) and the Union for the Promotion of Oilseeds and Protein Plants (UFOP) cordially invite paper proposals for the 10th international Conference on Biofuels “Fuels of the Future 2013” that will be held during 21 -
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...(M)ore than 30 airlines now trialing, deploying biofuels – but who’s doing what, exactly? In Brazil, Azul Airlines announced that Amyris’s innovative renewable jet fuel sourced from Brazilian sugarcane has passed all required testing and will be used during
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) North American sugar-to-ethanol strategy differs from Brazil’s, Europe’s ...North Dakota-based Green Vision Group is resolutely moving forward with a plan to build multiple 20 MMgy dedicated energy beet plants in the state. ...More than 3,000 miles
(PRNewsWire/Yahoo!) Partnership will advance research in automotive renewable diesel solutions for current and next-generation TDI® Clean Diesel applications Volkswagen of America today announced partnerships with Solazyme and Amyris, two of the world's leaders in renewable fuels, to evaluate emissions reductions and
(Neste Oil) Neste Oil and Lufthansa tested Neste Oil's NExBTL renewable aviation fuel on a total of 1,187 flights between Frankfurt and Hamburg last year and one intercontinental flight between Frankfurt and Washington D.C. this year. Factors such as fuel
(4-Traders) Petrotec AG (ISIN DE000PET111), the largest European producer of waste to biodiesel mainly used cooking oil based, reported a 97% sales increase in financial year 2011 (January 1 to December 31, 2011). ...Backed by an increased demand for sustainable waste-based
by Toby Price (Renewable Energy Magazine) In an attempt to better coordinate and, ultimately, speed up research into fuels of the future, an interdisciplinary “Fuels Joint Research Group” has been founded in Germany. International research in fuel is becoming increasingly diverse.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Can companies like Mascoma and Sud-Chemie, by transforming the economics of cellulosic ethanol, compete at parity with gasoline – no subsidies, no five-years-to-commercial-scale, no kidding? Part II – “Chain-Chain-Chain, Chain of Fuels In Part II,
by Alex Morales (Reuters) European Union policies to promote the use of biofuels for transportation will cost consumers as much as 126 billion euros ($166 billion) between now and 2020, two environmental groups said. The fuels, gasoline substitutes derived from plants,
(International Institute for Sustainable Development) Currently, the German government plans to achieve the EU's renewable transport target mainly through the use of mandatory blending targets applied to the mineral oil industry for the use of biofuels. This study highlights that
(RSC Chemistry World News) The development of a couple of new and improved catalysts for upgrading bio-oil is bringing this novel approach to producing biofuels a step closer to the big time. Although there are several ways to convert plant biomass
by Graham Warwick (Aviation Week) ...But as 2012 progresses, industry is looking to governments to capitalize on the rapid technical progress made in approving bio-derived jet fuels by providing the funding support necessary to scale production up to commercial quantities
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...You just can’t turn your back for very long, around the Pyromaniax – the researchers around the world working on pyrolysis. Now, pyro comes in several flavors – fast pyrolysis, flash pyrolysis, catalytic fast pyrolysis
by Michael Hogan (Reuters) Govt advisors warn against biofuel feedstock imports * Importing foods for biofuels could endanger supplies * Biofuels industry says claims reckless Germany should not increase imports of food to produce biofuels, because this could threaten the supply of food in
by Robert Vierhout (Ethanol Producer Magazine) One would think that a relatively easy way for governments to promote biofuels would be to tax biofuels less than fossil fuels—avoid lengthy debates on mandates and simply change the taxation structure in such
(The Engineer) A new method of producing biodiesel from microalgae aims to overcome some of the previous drawbacks of the fuel. Using a novel catalyst, the researchers at the Technical University of Munich were able to produce saturated hydrocarbons suitable for
by Victoria Bryan (Reuters) German carrier Lufthansa is ending the trial use of a biofuel mix for its planes because it has used up stocks of certified biofuel and no other reliable supplies are available. The trial, which ran on flights between
(Renmatix) BASF is participating with $30 million through BASF Biorenewable Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG in the American technology firm Renmatix Inc. The BASF subsidiary led a $50 million financing round, joined by new and existing investors. The technology company Renmatix
(German Union for the Promotion of Oils and Protein Plants -- UFOP) The global biodiesel market has shown an exponential growth in production and trade across the past decade. Nowadays, more biodiesel than ever before is sourced from abroad and procurement areas
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